The Bristol Guitar Show 2026 at Ashton Gate Stadium proved there’s real depth beneath the Southwest’s biggest guitar event. Beyond the usual trade stands, this year’s edition was notable for its strong showing of independent makers, some genuinely covetable retro Japanese instruments, and a Live Stage that kept the atmosphere buzzing all day. Music Life went along to see what’s shaping the scene.
The Details
* Date: Sunday 14th June 2026
* Venue: Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Bristol BS3 2EJ
* Time: 10am – 4pm
* Admission: £12 on the door (card or cash), under 12s free with an accompanying adult
* Organiser: Neil Cable, who has run the show since it was founded in 2017
A Show Built on Variety
With well over 100 stands packed across the Ashton Gate concourse, the Bristol Guitar Show is one of the Southwest’s biggest dates on the guitar calendar, and this year’s edition lived up to that billing. What struck me wandering the floor wasn’t just the volume of gear on show but the spread of it – everything from budget-friendly practice amps and pedals through to genuinely eye-catching vintage and collector pieces, all within easy reach of each other rather than segregated by price point.
The exhibitors matched that variety in spirit. Every stand I stopped at was staffed by people who were cheerful, knowledgeable and clearly there for the love of it, happy to talk gear at length even when a sale was never on the cards.
Retro Gear and Rising Makers
One of the highlights of the day was a stand run by a couple of great guys from Merthyr, Jarrad and his dad, who had brought along some cracking retro 1980s guitars sourced from Japan. That era of Japanese-made instruments has been quietly building a following among collectors for its build quality and value, and seeing a genuinely good selection in one place was a real treat.
More striking still was the number of independent makers exhibiting alongside the established trade names. It’s a trend worth flagging for Music Life readers: small-batch and one-person luthier operations are clearly finding a real audience at shows like this, and the contacts made on the day are well worth following up if you’re curious where UK independent guitar making is heading next.
Live Stage and Atmosphere
The Live Stage kept a steady run of demos and performances going throughout the day, with exhibitors taking turns to put their instruments through their paces alongside billed musicians. It gave the concourse a proper buzz rather than the hushed, trade-only feel some gear shows can have, and made it easy to linger far longer than planned.
A small personal note: I’m a drummer who’s only recently picked up the bass, so this wasn’t entirely my territory. There wasn’t a huge amount aimed specifically at bassists, but the atmosphere and the quality of playing on the Live Stage made it an enjoyable watch regardless of which instrument you’re into.
Maker Spotlight: Luthier Watches
Among the exhibitors, one stand stood out for doing something a little different. Ash Powell of Luthier Watches makes guitar-inspired watches – timepieces that nod to instrument design and craftsmanship rather than guitars themselves, but which sit very naturally at a show like this. Fair play to him: he was lovely to chat to, clearly passionate about the brand, and the watches themselves are well made and surprisingly affordable, with prices around the £100 mark for the current LP range.
It’s exactly the kind of crossover maker that a show like this brings to light – not a guitar brand itself but built from the same world and the same appreciation for design. Worth a look at www.luthierwatches.co.uk or on Instagram.
The Verdict
Every exhibitor I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about how the show is run, and on the strength of this year’s event, hats off to organiser Neil Cable. It’s a well-organised, friendly show with real depth – enough variety to reward both the serious collector and the casual browser.
If you’re planning your own visit, our sister title Avon Life has the full practical lowdown on getting to Ashton Gate, parking, and what else to see on the day, including the stadium’s striking John Atyeo statue. I’ll definitely be back next year, and given that the organisers run similar shows across the country, it’s well worth following their website and socials to catch one near you.
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